Brushing teeth is a way of maintaining oral hygiene and health. Unfortunately, plaque often appears despite brushing your teeth. Plaque can cause oral health problems, also makes a smile and appearance less than optimal. In addition to brushing your teeth, using mouthwash can help reduce the onset of plaque.

Plaque or tartar is a layer of bacteria that solidifies and attaches to the teeth . Plaques play a major role in the process of tooth decay.

Why Can a Plaque Arise?

Plaque appears and develops because there are food debris. Cakes, bread, milk, candy, and other foods that contain sugar and starch left in the teeth, will invite bacteria.

The bacteria will produce acid which will destroy the enamel or the outer layer of the tooth. Furthermore, plaque can damage the roots of the teeth and support teeth. So do not consider plaque to be trivial, because it can cause a decrease in overall oral health.

How to Prevent the onset of Plaque

So far there are still many people who only focus on teeth when cleaning the mouth. In fact, other parts of the mouth such as the tongue and between the teeth must also be cleaned to avoid plaque.

Here are some ways to prevent plaque from developing:

Brushing your teeth before going to bed

Get used to brushing your teeth at least twice a day, including brushing your teeth before going to bed. The goal is to clean the oral cavity from food scraps, germs, and plaque deposits that begin to appear.

Pay attention to the correct way to brush your teeth

You don’t want to brush your teeth in vain, right? Therefore, pay attention to the correct way to brush your teeth. Make a circular motion when brushing your teeth to release the plaque that is attached. There is no need to rush so that the results are maximum. All you need to know, not brushing your teeth properly is that you never brush your teeth.

Use fluoride-containing products

Fluoride plays a role in fighting germs that have the potential to make teeth rot. This substance also provides protection to the teeth from the threat of damage. Choose toothpaste that contains fluoride so that your teeth are healthy. Eating bottled water containing fluoride can also help reduce the risk of plaque accumulation.

Take advantage of mouthwash

Mouthwash will clean the mouth area that is difficult to reach when brushing your teeth, such as gums and between teeth because toothbrush only cleans 25% of your mouth. In addition, mouthwash also reduces acidity and the number of germs in the oral cavity, even helping to remineralize teeth. However, mouthwash may not be used by children under the age of six. Although for children over this age, mouthwash can help clean the teeth to the fullest.

Check your teeth regularly

Regular dental check -ups, every 6 months, can help prevent tooth decay. Even if it turns out that tooth decay starts, you will get treatment earlier, so that dental problems are not severe.

The above ways can be done to maintain healthy teeth and mouth properly, so as to avoid a variety of dental and oral disorders that can arise due to plaque buildup, which if left unchecked can damage tooth tissue, gums, and the surrounding area, even at risk of infection.

Get used to taking care of your teeth and mouth early

Maintaining healthy teeth and mouth can help to keep the body protected from various diseases and infections, so that it can support the child’s growth and development. Your child can be invited to see how his parents take care of their daily dental and oral health, so that the child is interested and understands that this is what he must do later.

Entering the age of 2 years, children can begin to be taught to brush their own teeth with special children’s toothpaste, including how to spit out the remaining toothpaste foam. Over the age of 6 years, children are allowed to learn how to gargle using mouthwashes that are tailored to the dentist’s recommendations. While being supervised and ensured that they are not swallowed.

Caring for dental and oral health should start getting used to as a child. Thus, this activity can be a good habit that will be carried out regularly to adulthood.

Don’t Choose Mouthwash

Choose mouthwash according to your health needs and conditions. In using mouthwash, pay attention to the dosage and how to use it on the packaging label to get maximum benefit.

There are at least three types of mouthwash, namely:

Mouthwash for fresh breath

Mouthwash can make your breath fresh in an instant. This mouthwash can indeed fight some types of bacteria, but other bacteria can grow back in a short time.

Mouthwash containing fluoride

Mouthwash containing fluoride has two advantages. First, the nature of mouthwash that can reach the entire oral cavity following between teeth and gums. Secondly, mouthwash containing fluoride is strengthening the enamel, which is the leading layer of the tooth, thus helping to prevent problems that can damage the teeth .

Mouthwash anti-plaque and anti-inflammatory gums

This type of mouthwash can fight a variety of harmful bacteria that cause and prevent inflammation of the gums or gingivitis , while improving oral and dental health.

It is recommended to brush your teeth, while continuing with the use of mouthwash regularly and regularly for maximum dental health. In order to get maximum results that survive in the long run, avoid consuming alcoholic beverages, fizzy drinks, limit caffeinated drinks, and especially avoid smoking.

If your teeth are maintained, not just a healthy body. Relationships become even more fun. You can laugh freely when you gather with friends, or even when we are together with friends.

Pus on the gum is closely related to a condition called dental abscess and can be initiated by periodontal disease. An abscess cannot heal on its own, medical treatment is performed to dry out the abscess, disinfect it with antibiotics, make a canal to the root of the tooth, until it removes the infected tooth.

Pus is a thick liquid that contains dead tissue, cells, and bacteria. Pus is generally yellowish white, greenish, yellow or brownish yellow, and sometimes smells bad. The appearance of pus due to certain areas of inflammation during infection. This inflammatory reaction is the body’s natural reaction to fight infection.

Causes of pus in the gum

Pus on the gum usually comes from a tooth abscess. Abscesses are generally caused by a bacterial infection and cause throbbing pain. Poor oral hygiene and lack of care for the teeth , making teeth easily perforated and infected with bacteria. The growth of bacteria that is left will cause infection in the teeth. This infection will spread to the area around the gum and there is a collection of pus on the gum.

Bacterial infections can occur in the gums, tooth roots, and supporting bones of the teeth. Infection or inflammation of the tissue around the teeth that causes gum disease, can also be the cause of the appearance of pus on the gums. Gum disease often causes the gums to become slightly released from the teeth, forming a bag that can be filled with bacteria and develops into an abscess.

Periodontal abscesses can also develop as a complication of injury to the gums or tissue around the teeth, which causes injury. Injuries to the gums are susceptible to infection, because food or dirt that is involved and embedded in the gums can make germs thrive.

People with a weakened immune system, have diabetes , or are undergoing chemotherapy treatment, are more prone to experience tooth abscesses and pus on the gums.

Treating pus on the gum

If the pain is unbearable, you can take painkillers such as paracetamol which can be purchased freely. However, some people need a stronger pain reliever and can only be obtained by prescription. After the pus has dried, generally the symptoms complained of will soon disappear.

Pus on the gums can be treated by draining pus from the gum to dry by piercing the abscess or by making a small hole in the tooth so that pus can flow out. After that, you should also clean the bag of pus on the gum. This step must be done by a dentist. The dentist may also give oral antibiotics that must be taken for several days to overcome the overall infection. If pus has not disappeared and the abscess does not heal within a few days, it is recommended to consult the dentist immediately.

To prevent pus pockets from breaking, avoid eating hot or cold foods and drinks that can make pain worse. Eat soft food, and chew food using the side of the mouth that is not infected. Do not forget to use a soft toothbrush and avoid doing dental flossing in the area of ​​teeth and gums that have infection or pus in the gums.

Meanwhile, if an abscess ruptures before he can go to the dentist, immediately rinse his mouth with warm water to clean the mouth while pushing pus out completely.

Possible Complications

Pus on the gums that do not get proper treatment can trigger a number of possible complications, such as the formation of a duct between the site of infection with the skin or the mouth that can expel pus continuously.

In addition, pus in the gums that are not treated properly can also trigger sinusitis, cavities filled with fluid in the teeth ( dental cysts ), as well as bone infections near the gums that are infected.

It is important to immediately see a dentist if there is pus on the gums or if you find an abscess in the mouth. In addition to treating, also to prevent complications.

Prevent Prevention

Pus on the gum due to abscess can be avoided by maintaining good oral hygiene. Get used to brushing your teeth regularly, and if necessary, do flossing using dental floss or dental floss .

Maintaining oral hygiene also includes cleaning the tongue and applying a healthy diet. Avoid consuming drinks or foods that contain high sugar and stop smoking, are some actions that can improve oral health.

If the teeth appear to be damaged or there is pus on the gums, immediately consult a dentist, so that appropriate treatment can be given to prevent the emergence of dangerous complications. Also do dental checks regularly at least once a year.

When pregnant, a body that is easily achy and tired, it is likely that you often want to pamper yourself with sweet foods and drinks. But be careful, ma’am. It turns out that too much sugar consumption during pregnancy can cause side effects that are risky to health, you know.

One condition to watch out for is gestational diabetes . This type of diabetes is only experienced by pregnant women. Mothers are likely for the first time and have no history of diabetes before pregnancy, or you may have mild symptoms of diabetes that have not been diagnosed before.

Gestational Diabetes Risk Causes Pregnancy Disorders

If consumed in levels that are not excessive, actually both sugar and artificial sweeteners usually do not carry risks to pregnant women. However, consumption of sweeteners or uncontrolled sweet foods can be dangerous, especially if previously pregnant women already had a history of diabetes mellitus or insulin resistance .

Insulin is a hormone that processes food into glucose (sugar) for energy. During pregnancy, the way your body manages insulin changes. Some pregnant women do not produce enough insulin or even do not respond enough to insulin. This is what triggers gestational diabetes.

Pregnant women who have gestational diabetes can make their babies more at risk of experiencing the following conditions.

Overweight in the womb

Babies in the womb develop too large . This condition called macrosomia is caused by excess glucose in the blood vessels that enter the placenta. This large baby will eventually make the labor process more difficult so that a Caesarean section may be needed.

Premature labor and respiratory distress syndrome

Babies can be born early due to their mother’s high blood sugar levels. The size of the baby can also make doctors recommend early delivery. As a result, these premature babies may experience respiratory distress syndrome due to their immature lungs.

Hypoglycemia in infants after birth

This condition occurs when blood sugar levels are low due to high insulin production after birth. Severe hypoglycemia can trigger seizures in infants.

Increases risk of type 2 diabetes

After birth, babies are also more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on.

Infant death

The most severe result if gestational diabetes is not handled properly, the baby can die before or shortly after birth.

Untreated gestational diabetes can also bring complications during pregnancy. Including pregnant women experience hypertension and preeclampsia , as well as diabetes in subsequent pregnancies and type 2 diabetes later on. The good news, this risk can be reduced by a healthy lifestyle .

Tips for limiting sugar sweetness for pregnant women

In order for the body’s sugar levels to be more controlled, pregnant women should reduce or limit certain types of foods, such as fried foods, fast food, baked cookies (snails, donuts, muffins), candy, sweet drinks (soda, juice, soft drinks ), white rice, potatoes, and foods that are high in saturated fat .

In addition, be careful of artificial sweeteners that are usually found in sweets, soft drinks, cakes, ice cream, and many packaged foods. Examples of artificial sweeteners that should not be consumed during pregnancy are:

Saccharin ( Saccharin )

Research found that saccharin can actually enter the placenta and can stay in fetal tissue.

Cyclamate ( cyclamate )

Mothers should avoid products that contain this ingredient because there is not enough evidence about its safety in pregnant women.

The ideal diet for pregnant women on one plate includes 50% vegetables, 25% protein, and 25% complex carbohydrates that are rich in fiber, such as brown rice, oatmeal, whole wheat bread. Pregnant women need to supply fresh vegetables and fruits every day. Some foods that can be snacks include eggs, vegetables and fresh cut fruit, boiled vegetables, grilled fish, skinless chicken breasts, oatmeal with berries, and unsweetened yogurt.

Applying a healthy and balanced diet as above, will be very useful to maintain the health of the mother during pregnancy, as well as help treat gestational diabetes. Do not forget to also routinely move actively and get enough rest, Mom.

Finding the right toothpaste starts from recognizing the special needs of your teeth and mouth. The right toothpaste for others is not necessarily right for you.

So many choices of types and brands of toothpaste in the supermarket. Which should be chosen? The following are some types of toothpaste based on their content and usefulness.

Some Types of Toothpaste According to Content and Benefits

Toothpaste with fluoride

Fluoride is the most important mineral material that should be contained in each toothpaste. This mineral is useful for renewing minerals in the area of ​​the tooth that begins to damage due to acid. In addition, it can help email or the outer layer of the teeth remain strong and protected from damage caused by acid from the results of processing food in the mouth.

Anti-toothpaste

In the beginning, tartar was a plaque or layer of bacteria on the teeth which then hardened and was difficult to clean. If not immediately cleaned regularly, can cause buildup that will cause gum disease.

Some toothpastes claim to contain ingredients such as pyrophosphate and zinc citrate which can prevent tartar formation. It also contains triclosan antibiotics that help kill bacteria in the mouth.

But on the other hand, actually tartar can only be removed by dentists and cannot only brush your teeth. Even toothpaste toothpaste can actually cause teeth to become sensitive to coldness. For plaque, all toothpaste can definitely remove plaque if you brush your teeth with the right technique .

Toothpaste for sensitive teeth

Toothpaste that usually contains potassium nitrate or strontium chloride is usually recommended for people whose teeth are easily sore when exposed to foods that are too hot or cold. The ingredients in it help block the nerve channels in the teeth. But keep in mind that the best way to handle sensitive teeth is actually to do treatment. Not to dampen the pain.

Toothpaste containing bleach

Toothpaste which claims to be able to whiten teeth generally contains laxatives which function to remove stains on the teeth and coat them so that they look brighter. Although generally toothpaste with bleach is relatively safe to use every day, overuse it can risk damaging tooth enamel.

There is also a toothpaste that contains baking soda which is claimed to function to remove stains on the teeth. But actually this material actually loses its benefits when exposed to water. In addition, this type of toothpaste can actually only remove stains on the surface of the tooth, but can not change the original color of the tooth.

General Guidelines

The following are some general guidelines for choosing toothpaste for yourself and family:

Ensure that the toothpaste brand has been registered with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) to ensure its safety and effectiveness.

Get to know your and family’s needs. For toddlers, avoid toothpaste with mint flavor.

It’s okay to try several different toothpaste brands to find out which one feels the most appropriate.

Another effective way is to ask the dentist for recommendations that are right for you to the dentist who knows the health of your teeth.

Get used to maintaining dental hygiene by regularly rubbing it every day. But know that regularly brushing teeth is not necessarily effective as a way of caring for your teeth if the technique is not right.

Have you brushed your teeth twice a day, but the problem of teeth and gums is still common? Maybe the way you brush your teeth isn’t right. The following are some points that can be a guide.

Make part of the routine

Make brushing your teeth as part of a mandatory routine, after eating or at least morning and night before going to bed.

Not too often

Brushing your teeth 2-3 times a day as a way to care for your teeth is the ideal amount. But brushing your teeth more than 3 times a day can damage tooth enamel and harm gums.

Not too strong

Besides being too frequent, brushing your teeth too tight also risks damaging your teeth and gums. In order to better control the movement of the brush, hold the handle of the brush like you hold a pencil, not by clenching your hands.

No hurry

For more careful brushing, give at least 30 seconds to brush each side of the row of teeth: right side, left side, and front.

Good technique

Hold your brush at a 45 degree angle from the gum and move the brush from right to left repeatedly along the teeth. Brush the outer and inner tooth surfaces, and the back molars.

Also brush the tongue and the inside of the cheeks

In addition to the surface of the teeth, bacteria are also found on the tongue and the inside of the right side of the cheek. Also brush this part gently on a regular basis to reduce bad breath . Some brands provide special tools to clean the tongue.

Gargle

Gargle with clean water every time you finish rubbing each part. Ending it with an antiseptic mouthwash will further support oral hygiene and freshness of breath.

Choosing and using the right toothpaste and toothbrush is also the key to healthy teeth and gums. Unhealthy teeth and gums can be a contributing factor to the development of other health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease .